Excellent
#346 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 9% in state
Mckeel Academy Central
Elementary School · POLK
411 FLORIDA AVE N, Lakeland, FL 33801
Enrollment
610
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
610
Student-Teacher
16.9:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lakeland
#4 of 58
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#318 of 2,196
In district
#10 of 155
POLK
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Mckeel Academy Central
Mckeel Academy Central is a public elementary school in Lakeland, FL, part of the POLK. The school serves approximately 610 students in grades Pre-K – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 90.9th percentile among FL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 85% proficiency in math, 28 points above the state average and 77% in reading/language arts, 23 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $49,210, where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize city setting.
What Parents Should Know
Mckeel Academy Central is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Mckeel Academy Central — Students at Mckeel Academy Central score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.
How Mckeel Academy Central Compares
See how Mckeel Academy Central performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 86% (2019) to 80% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 78% (2019) to 76% (2021).
Location
411 FLORIDA AVE N, Lakeland, FL 33801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mckeel Academy Central may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY (rated 8.3/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is ROCHELLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, LINCOLN AVENUE ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lakeland, see our Lakeland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,210
Median Home Value
$138,700
Median Rent
$1,100/mo
Population
33,460
College Educated
15.8%
Homeownership
50.2%
Avg Commute
25.6 min
Poverty Rate
22.8%
Median Age
33.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mckeel Academy Central has a median household income of $49,210. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,700, with a median rent of $1,100/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AVOCADO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Homestead, FL | 8.3 |
| BAY POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Petersburg, FL | 8.3 |
| BOYETTE SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Riverview, FL | 8.3 |
| CLEVELAND COURT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland, FL | 8.3 |
| DOUGLAS L. JAMERSON JR. ELEMENTARY St. Petersburg, FL | 8.3 |
| FELLSMERE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fellsmere, FL | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mckeel Academy Central
What grades does Mckeel Academy Central serve?
Mckeel Academy Central serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Mckeel Academy Central?
Mckeel Academy Central has an enrollment of approximately 610 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mckeel Academy Central?
The student-teacher ratio at Mckeel Academy Central is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mckeel Academy Central rank in FL?
Mckeel Academy Central is ranked #346 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Mckeel Academy Central's MySchoolScout rating?
Mckeel Academy Central has a composite rating of 8.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Mckeel Academy Central?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mckeel Academy Central has 85.0% math proficiency and 77.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mckeel Academy Central a charter school?
Yes, Mckeel Academy Central is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Mckeel Academy Central a Title I school?
No, Mckeel Academy Central is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mckeel Academy Central?
37.9% of students at Mckeel Academy Central qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 610
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (863) 499-1287
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #10 of 155
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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